What's to be attracted to in a case like this?

As we're not living in a Victorian melodrama, no one's suggesting that a woman faint in a man's arms as a way of securing his affection!

Feminine does not equate to weak.

Take Angelina Jolie: a very feminine, nurturing, passionate woman - but would you call her "helpless?"

I don't believe in gender stereotypes (and despise the so-called "relationship manuals" which instruct women to play into them) but generally speaking, when a man is attracted to and cares about a woman (I mean really cares, not the kind of connection that can be established in a couple of casual dates), he will want to demonstrate this by offering practical assistance to her. Not because she is a delicate shrinking violet who cannot function without him but because when you care about someone, you want to do stuff for them - this applies to both sexes!

I think your view sounds extreme - are you saying that if a women acted like anything other than a powerhouse for so much as an instant, you would look down on her and cease to be attracted to her? If that is the case, I suggest you forget dating and visit a professional dominatrix as your impossible ideals will never permit you to have a real relationship.

Well, on the one hand you're denouncing chivalry, and on the other hand you appear to show a preference for women who are in dominant positons, take control or pursue intellectual interests. There are two explanations for this: sociological (coming from chivalry's birthplace in the woman-fearing christian religion), and psychological. I find the latter a bit more interesting, because it explains the differences in preference.

You paint a very accurate and common relationship scenario in describing the protective male being attracted to the helpless female and vice versa. And yet, you apparently incline towards the dominant, ambitious (run for office, own businesses) types. Both of these examples denote women who are at extreme poles. One wants total submissiveness and the other wants to dominate. Most of the time, a man's mother will have a tremendous influence on the type of woman he is attracted to. So in other words: dominant mother=dominant love interest. It's also possible that because of the frustration in the Oedipus rejection, the male can experience the reaction-formation of preferring a mate that is opposite his mother's personality - though this is slightly less common. In either case, the choice for dominance/submission is very uniform and it is a rarity that a man will choose a female that is an even balance. Again, this is caused by the mother-son relationship. It is also substantial that you have an aversion to the type of woman that is not your specified "dominant" type, i.e., the demure, passive woman.

So even though it seems inconceivable as to why Xtype-males prefer Ytype-females, there is a very sound psychological explanation for this.

I don't know but I want to find someone who thinks like you. I'm sure such an accomplished woman will feel that way too.

As a woman who is accomplished to certain degree but also likes to be protected by my man, I don't see what your issue is. I've dated many men in the past who were absolute push-overs and I didn't like it, or them, one bit. I've also dated men who were bullies who had to take a quick hike. Is it possible you are mistaking a woman's need for comfort for weakness? Women need to feel safe when we date men. I also am quite aware of my weaknesses as a human. For example, if a 250 pound man was coming at me with a machete I would really appreciate my fellow stepping in and giving him a good wallop because truthfully, I couldn't do that much to a man that size and he'd probably kill me. Unfortunately, many of the men I've dated weren't strong enough to protect me from such things because they were expecting me to be the strong one. This is getting long but I think I made my point.

I know what you mean and I don't understand the attraction myself. I think it's just based on old fashion stereotypes of men and women and that people think that is the why they whould act. I personally think both men and women should help and protect each other in a relationship. I would never be attracted to a guy trying to protect me.